Ego Death as a Portal to Peace

Exploring how the loss of self in a psychedelic experience can lead to unexpected healing

We usually talk about the self like it’s a fixed, solid thing, “my personality,” “my story,” “me.” But what happens when that self dissolves? What happens when your sense of “me” floats away entirely, and you’re left not knowing where you end and the world begins?

That’s what many people describe in a psychedelic experience: a phenomenon known as ego death.

Far from just a trippy buzzword, ego death is a deeply researched and often transformative process in psychedelic journeys. While it can feel disorienting at first, many people report that the loss of self is what made space for a new kind of peace, one that isn’t dependent on being in control, being right, or even being someone.

What Is Ego Death, Really?

Ego death doesn’t mean you actually die. It means the usual boundaries between “you” and everything else temporarily dissolve. Your sense of being a separate self, with a name, identity, and storyline, can feel like it vanishes completely. You might feel merged with the universe, connected to nature, or like you’ve returned to some original state of awareness before words, worries, or definitions existed.

Researchers sometimes refer to this experience as “ego dissolution,” and it’s been measured in scientific studies using scales like the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI). High scores on this scale often correlate with long-lasting improvements in mental health, especially when the experience is paired with intention, safety, and integration afterward.

The Brain on Ego Death

From a neuroscience perspective, psychedelic experiences often quiet a part of the brain called the default mode network (DMN). This network is like your brain’s internal narrator.  It keeps track of your identity, your personal history, and your sense of self in relation to the world. It’s also deeply involved in self-referential thinking, rumination, and looping thoughts.

Under the influence of psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT, the DMN becomes less active, a phenomenon known as downregulation. When that happens, people often experience a kind of mental reset. Patterns of overthinking, negative self-talk, and rigid beliefs about the self can loosen or even vanish, creating a sense of openness, spaciousness, or peace.

This downregulation of the default mode network is strongly correlated with ego dissolution, the feeling that your usual sense of “me” has temporarily disappeared. And while that might sound unsettling, it can also create the conditions for deep healing. Without the usual defenses and narratives in place, people may access new perspectives, emotional clarity, or long-buried memories with more compassion and less fear.

Why Ego Death Feels Like Peace

Many of us are carrying heavy burdens tied to identity: “I’m not enough,” “I have to fix this,” “I’m the one who was hurt,” or “I’m the one who caused harm.” In ego death, those beliefs, no matter how deeply embedded, can fall away, even for just a moment.

Without the constant need to be somebody, there’s a chance to just be. That’s where peace often enters.

People in psychedelic studies frequently describe feelings of unconditional love, unity, and clarity during or after ego dissolution. One participant in a Johns Hopkins psilocybin study described their experience for treatment resistant depression:  “I experienced this kind of unity, of resonant love, the sense that I’m not alone anymore, that there was this thing holding me that was bigger than my grief. I felt welcomed back to the world.”

But It’s Not Always Easy

Let’s be honest: losing your sense of self can feel terrifying, especially if it comes unexpectedly or without support. This is why preparation, set and setting, and integration are essential.

Some people report panic, confusion, or a sense of “going crazy” when ego boundaries start to melt. If you’ve spent your whole life trying to stay in control, ego death can feel like the scariest thing in the world.

This is where support matters. A skilled facilitator, a safe space, and feeling prepared can make the difference between terror and transformation.

What Comes After the Ego Returns

Some people describe feeling lighter, more compassionate, less reactive. Others say they’re more present in their relationships or less identified with old patterns of shame and fear. While not every psychedelic experience leads to dramatic life changes, ego death can open a door that makes those changes possible.

A recent study found that participants who experienced high levels of ego-dissolution and emotional breakthrough were found to be associated with positive changes in subjective wellbeing.

After an experience like this, it helps to ask questions like:

• What did I feel when I wasn’t “me” anymore?
• What did I learn about control, identity, or connection?
• What parts of myself no longer feel necessary?
• What kind of peace am I now making space for?

Sometimes, peace isn’t something you have to find. It’s what’s been there all along, beneath the ego’s defenses, doubts, and demands.

It’s not about erasing who you are. It’s about realizing that who you are is more than you ever thought.